Automatic dump actuator conveyor system

ABSTRACT

A conveyor system enabling dumping of workpieces is disclosed. The conveyor system is comprised of a mechanism for transporting workpieces along the conveyor system. The transporting mechanism has a first receiving end and a second removal or holding end. An endless belt mechanism is coupled with the transport mechanism in a spaced relationship. A driver is coupled with the endless belt in a spaced relationship with the transport mechanism to drive workpieces along the transport mechanism. A mechanism is coupled with the transport mechanism and belt mechanism to enable movement of the removing or holding end of the conveyor system with respect to the receiving end such that the conveyor may be used to feed more than one installation.

This is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 562,583, filedAug. 3, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,730, which is a divisional of Ser.No. 230,497, filed Aug. 10, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,201.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to conveyor systems and, moreparticularly, to dump-type conveyor systems having driver membersattached to an endless belt to move workpieces along a workpiecetransporting table. The invention further provides a pivotal movement ofconveyor sections such that one end of the conveyor is movable withrespect to the other end of the conveyor.

In the conveyor field, there is a difficulty with moving workpieces thathave a radially extending base with an elongated axial projection suchas some gear configurations. Generally, the workpieces are positioned ona conveyor such that they are resting on their base with the projectionextending vertically upward. For some workpiece configurations, thispositioning makes them unstable and susceptible to tipping, whichparticularly becomes a problem if the parts become stacked at the end ofthe conveyor. Accordingly, there is a need in the field to provide animproved conveyor system to handle workpieces of the configurationdiscussed above.

The present invention provides a conveyor system that convenientlyhandles workpieces having elongated projecting portions with a radiallyextending base. The present invention enables such workpieces to bepositioned on the conveyor with the radially extending base supported bybearing elements with the projecting portion oriented downwardly. Due tothis manner of supporting the workpiece, the present invention enablessuch workpieces to be stacked at the end of the conveyor during holdingwhile reducing the tendency of the workpieces to tip. Further, thepresent invention provides the art with a sectional conveyor systemwhich enables the sections to be pivoted with respect to one another,making the conveyor adjustable and adaptable for various plant layouts.

The conveyor system according to this invention includes a workpiecetransport mechanism to support the workpieces as they are moved alongthe conveyor system. The transport mechanism has a receiving end and aremoval or holding end. An endless moving belt is positioned below atransport mechanism which supports the parts. A driver mechanism iscoupled to the endless belt which acts on the downwardly extendingprojecting portion of the workpieces to drive them along the transportmechanism. Also, a hinging system couples sections of the workpiecetransport mechanism and the endless conveyor belt to enable angularmovement of conveyor sections.

From the subsequent detailed description and appended claims taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, other objects and advantagesof the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in theart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor system in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial elevation view of an end of the conveyor system inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view between two sections of a conveyor system inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a removal or holding end of aconveyor system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a driver in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating the pivotalmovement of the sections.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another driver in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another driver in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view partially in cross-sections of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Moving to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 1, a conveyor system isillustrated and designated with the reference numeral 10. The conveyorsystem 10 includes a first conveying portion 12 and a second conveyingportion 14. Generally, workpieces are placed onto the conveyor system atthe first portion 12 and are removed from the conveying system at theend of the second portion 14. However, this could be reversed.

The conveyor sections 12 and 14 are comprised of workpiece transfersections 16 and 18 coupled with endless belt support sections 20 and 22,all of which are positioned above the ground by legs 24. A number ofdriver mechanisms 26 are attached to the endless belt 28 for drivingworkpieces 30 along the workpiece transfer sections 16 and 18.

Turning to FIGS. 2 through 4, a better understanding of the presentinvention may be acquired. The transfer section mechanisms 16 and 18 aresubstantially the same, and the same reference numerals will be used toidentify similar elements. The transfer mechanism sections 16 and 18include a pair of wall members 32 and 34. The wall members 32 and 34 arepositioned opposing one another such that a channel 36 is formed betweenthem. A plurality of bearing rollers 38 are positioned on one of thelongitudinal edges of both of the wall members 32 and 34, forming achannel 37 between opposing rollers 38. The rollers 38 enable theworkpieces 30 to move smoothly along through both sections 16 and 18 ofthe transfer mechanism although slide bar devices would work with equalsuccess. Struts 40 are positioned at the other longitudinal edge of thewall members 32 and 34 to maintain a consistent channel spacing betweenthe opposing wall members 32 and 34 and rollers 38.

The transfer mechanism sections 16 and 18 are connected together by aflexible transfer section 15. The flexible transfer section 15 iscontinuous with the sections 16 and 18, however, the flexible transfersection 15 enables the sections 16 and 18 to be pivoted with respect toone another, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 6. The flexible transfer section 15includes wall members 33 and 35 which are similar to wall members 32 and34 and are formed of a material such as so called "blue steel", whichprovides for the flexure of the transfer section 15 to accommodatepivoting of the transfer sections 16 and 18. Rollers 38 are positionedon one longitudinal edge of each of said wall 33 and 35 to enableworkpieces 30 to move along the rollers from section 16 to section 18.

The endless belt support sections 20 and 22 are substantially identical,and similar elements will be identified with the same reference numeral.A frame 42 having legs 24 projecting therefrom enables the belt 28 to bemoved along the conveyor system 10 A cage 45 is connected to the frameand surrounds the belt 28 to minimize lateral movement of the belt 28.The frame 42 may be hollow or solid depending upon the desires of theend user. Preferably, the frame 42 will be somewhat lightweight toenable movement of section 22 with respect to section 20. The belt 28moves along the frame sections 42 in the cage 45 and is driven by amotor 44. The cage 45 is on both sides of the frame sections 42 toretain the belt 28 in close proximity with the frame sections 42. Thebelt 28 reverses directions via sprockets 46 and 48, as seen in FIG. 1.The belt 28, therefore, rides in cage 45 on both longitudinal sides ofthe frame 42.

Spacer bars 50 are welded or the like to the frame 42 and projectupwards and are bolted or the like onto the wall members 32 and 34 ofthe transfer section 16 and 18. The spacer bars 50 spatially positionthe workpieces 30 a desired distance from the drivers 26 as they passalong the belt 28. The spacers 50 are located on both lateral sides ofthe frame 42. Preferably, the struts 40 are positioned through the wallmembers 32 and 34 and bolted to the spacers 50. A gap or channel 52 isformed between the transfer sections 16 and 18 and the frame sections 20and 22 to enable the drivers 26 to pass between the transfer sections 16and 18, and frame sections 20 and 22, as best seen in FIG. 2.

The driver 26, which engages workpieces 30 is best shown in FIG. 5 andincludes a pair of pivot arms 54 and 56 for interconnecting the driverto chain 28. A counterbalance 60 is integrally formed with the arms 54and 56. A bearing 62 is supported by support arms 64 and 66 at a desiredangle and height away from and above the counterbalance 60 to contactthe workpiece 30 as the drivers 26 pass by the workpieces 30, as seen inFIGS. 2 and 4.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate other embodiments of the driver 26.

The driver 26 illustrated in FIG. 7 has an integral body with acounterweight portion 110 and a pair of side rails 112 and 114. Therails 112 and 114 are integrally formed with and extend substantiallytransverse to the counterbalance portion 110. An opening is formedbetween the rails 112 and 114 enabling rollers 116 to span between therails 112 and 114. A bolt 118 or the like is positioned through therollers 116 to secure the rollers 116 to the rails 112 and 114.

A post 120 projects from the chain 28. The post 120 enables the driver26 to be secured to the chain 28. A bolt 122 is passed through anaperture in the post 120. Spacers 124 are positioned between the post120 and the rails 112 and 114 to enable proper positioning of the driver26 on the chain 28.

The driver in FIG. 8 is similar to the driver 26 of FIG. 7. The driverin FIG. 8 includes a body member having a counterbalance portion 130 anda pair of side rails 132 and 134. The side rails 132 and 134 areintegrally formed with the counterbalance portion 130 and are angular.Rollers 136 are positioned between the side rails 132 and 134 to contactthe workpieces. A pin 138 secures the rollers 136 to the side rails 132and 134.

A second pin 140 is passed through the post 120 to enable securement ofthe driver onto the chain 28. Spacers 142 are positioned between thepost 120 and the rails 132 and 134 to enable proper positioning of thedriver on the chain 28. The chain 28 may include magnetic members or thelike for magnetically or the like drawing the counterbalance portions ofthe drivers to the chain 28.

Preferably, a plurality of drivers 26 are spatially positioned on thechain 28 to drive workpieces 30 along the system 10, as best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4. Thus, as a driver bearing 62 comes in contact with theelongated portion 68 of the workpiece 30, the workpiece 30 is drivenalong the rollers 38 in the transfer sections 15, 16, and 18. As theworkpiece 30 contacts the stop 70, the driver 26 pivots on pivot arms 54and 56 and counterweight 60 moves upward enabling bearing 62 to passunderneath the elongated portion 68 of the workpiece 30 and to continuealong with the belt 28. Once the driver 26 is passed the workpiece 30,the counterbalance 60 brings the driver back to an upright position. Itshould be noted that the drivers 26 will pass under the workpieces asdescribed above at any time the workpiece becomes stopped or detained onthe transfer sections.

The stop 70 is positioned between wall members 32 and 34 at the removalend of the conveyor system 10 at transfer section 18. The stop mechanism70 includes a pivotable member 72 to contact the workpiece 30 to enablethe workpieces 30 to be stacked in position along the conveyor andmetered out at the desired rate. As the pivot member 72 is moved, theworkpiece 30 passes to a position where it can be removed from theconveyor system 10. It should be noted that other stops and feedersknown in the art would function satisfactorily.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the workpieces abut one another at theirflange 74 at the removal end of the conveyor. The flange to flangecontact of the workpieces with the projecting portion 6 projectingthrough the roller channel 37 enable the workpieces to be "stacked" in amanner which substantially eliminates the tendency of the workpieces totip. Thus, the workpieces may be stacked at the removal end of theconveyor and may be removed when needed without the operator beingconcerned with the workpieces tipping.

The conveyor system 10 includes hinge mechanism 80 at flexible transfersection 15 which enables relative angular movement of the sections 12and 14 with respect to one another. The mechanism 80 includes arms 81,82, and 83 coupled with the frame sections 42, which enable coupling ofdisk members 84 and 86 with the belt 28 at the pivot point of the system10. Arms 81, 82, and 83 are welded to frames 42 of sections 20 and 22such that arm 82 projects from frame section 20 between arm 81, and arm83 projects from frame section 22 so that the arms 81, 82, and 83 mesh,enabling a shaft 88 to be passed therethrough to provide pivotalmovement of one conveyor section 12 with respect to the other conveyorsection 14

The disks 84 and 86, attached to shaft 88, enable the belt 28 to ridethereon to continue travelling in the cage 45 on the frame sections 42.The disks 84 and 86 are substantially identical to those described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 856,801, filed Apr. 28, 1986, entitled"Storage Conveyor System", assigned to the same assignee as the presentinvention, the specification of which is herein incorporated byreference. The disks 84 and 86 provide the belt 28 with continuousmovement along the conveyor system 10.

Moving to FIG. 6, the pivotinq of the sections 12 and 14 is shown. Assection 14 is pivoted with respect to section 12, the arms 81 and 83pivot with respect to arm 82 and enable the section 14 to be moved.Also, flexible transfer section 15 flexes to enable the pivoting. Assections 12 and 14 pivot, the belt 28 stays in constant contact on theturn disks 84 and 86 to provide continuous movement of the belt 28 inthe conveyor system 10.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. Thepresent invention may be used as a storage-type conveyor to temporarilyhold workpieces between work stations until the workpiece can betransported.

As seen in FIG. 9, the storage conveyor system 200 includes a frame 212,a plurality of inclined alternating direction tracks 214, turn disks 216and at least one or more axles 218 for positioning the disk and the belt28. The tracks 214 are substantially the same as those described hereinhaving a pair of wall members 220 and 222 positioned opposing oneanother such that a channel is formed between them. A plurality ofbearing rollers 226 are positioned on one of the longitudinal edges ofboth of the wall members forming a channel between the opposing rollers.The rollers enable the workpiece 30 to move smoothly along the inclinedtracks 214.

As mentioned above, the drivers 26 carry the workpieces 30 along theincline tracks 214. The storage conveyor is similar to that disclosed inU.S. patent application No. 856,801, filed Apr. 28, 1986, assigned tothe same assignee as the present invention, the specification of whichis herein incorporated by reference, and includes modificationsincluding the wall members 222 and 224 and the rollers 226 to carry theworkpieces 30 as described herein.

While the above discloses the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, it will be understood that modifications, variations andalterations may be made to the present invention without varying fromthe scope and fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A conveyor system for transporting workpieces of the type having an axially projection portion extending from a radially projecting base, said conveyor comprising:a transfer mechanism having at least a pair of rows of transfer means for supporting said workpiece such that said base is supported by said transfer means and said axially projection portion extends downwardly; a conveyor belt moving below said transfer mechanism; and at least one driver mechanism carried by said conveyor belt and engageable with said workpieces at said axial projection portion to move said workpieces along said transfer mechanism, said driver mechanism including automatic dumping means for releasing said workpiece once a predetermined level of force is exerted on said workpiece by said driver mechanism.
 2. A conveyor system for transporting workpieces according to claim 1 wherein said automatic dumping means comprises said driver mechanism having a counterweight which is coupled for pivoting with respect to said conveyor belt, and having an engaging member for engaging said workpiece, said engaging member causing said counterweight to be lifted such that said engaging member disengages said workpiece once said predetermined level of force is reached.
 3. A conveyor storage system for transporting workpieces of the type having an axially projecting portion extending from a projecting base, said conveyor storage system comprising:a frame; means for supporting workpieces by engagement with the projecting bases of the workpieces, in an upwardly inclined consecutively alternating direction mounted on said frame; endless moving belt means in a subjacent spaced relationship with said workpiece supporting means; and means coupled with said endless belt means in a subjacent spaced relationship with said workpiece supporting means for driving workpieces along said workpiece supporting means by engagement with the axially projecting portions of the workpieces.
 4. The conveyor system according to claim 3 wherein said workpiece supporting means includes a pair of spaced opposing walls defining a channel, a plurality of rollers on each of said walls for enabling movement of said workpieces, and a gap between opposing rollers on said walls for enabling a portion of said workpieces to protrude between said opposing walls.
 5. The conveyor system according to claim 3 further comprising means for spacing said workpiece supporting means a desired distance from said endless moving belt means and forming a gap between said workpiece supporting means and said endless moving belt means for enabling said driving means to travel between said workpiece supporting means and said endless moving belt means.
 6. The conveyor system according to claim 3 wherein said driving means includes one or more drivers, each driver comprised of means for pivotally securing said driver to said endless belt means, a bearing coupled with said pivot means for contacting said workpieces to move said workpieces along said workpiece transporting means, and counter balance means for maintaining said bearing in a first position in contact with said workpiece and enabling said bearing to move to a second position out of contact with said workpiece when movement of said workpiece is stopped. 